Inclusion is about everyone. When we talk about inclusion, we are talking about diversity, equity, sense of belonging, being a welcoming environment, access to opportunities, and embracing all the things that make us who we are. Inclusion is aspirational but attainable. Improving systems, removing barriers and bias ensures people fully receive appropriate medical care and people can fully contribute at work.

As a business that cares for people, inclusion is part of how we pay attention to individuals and treat the whole person. We are committed to delivering exceptional care and serving our diverse community. Every patient, family member, and loved one who interacts with KHSC brings unique experiences and needs. To ensure excellence, we must continuously improve and create an environment where everyone feels welcome and confident that their needs will be met—regardless of their identity, background, language, beliefs, age, or any other individual characteristics.

We are also an employer committed to our staff who are educators, researchers, learners, employees, providers, volunteers, contractors, and leaders. Our workforce is also diverse so we must strive to reflect that broader community, embrace ideas, and enable our people to thrive. An integrated inclusion framework is another way to affirm what we value.

It brings to life how we demonstrate respect and compassion for those we care for and each other as well as opportunities for partnering in care to drive excellence, and create new ways of being.

Integrated inclusion buckets graphic

Integrated Inclusion Framework

An integrated inclusion framework provides us a shared way to approach inclusion. It helps us to identify gaps and create improvements that will make a difference and have a lasting impact to those we serve and those among our workforce. The framework brings intention applying an inclusion lens to our actions. While there are many activities happening across KHSC that contribute to inclusion, we need to focus our efforts in the areas that are needed most in our local context. The framework helps us to align our efforts and bring an inclusion lens to our priorities and our decision-making by making these bundled areas of focus more visible.

Integrated Inclusion Framework

Integrated Inclusion Framework FR

Integrated Inclusion Framework creation

Our approach when we began this journey toward greater inclusion was based on our sincere desire to Listen, Learn, and Improve. This perpetual cycle continues throughout the approach to honour integrated framework and these principles carry forward in how we bring it to life.

Listen
To honour our commitment to obtaining guidance from our people to drive priorities under inclusion, we approached framework by engaging diverse voices internally and externally as individuals and groups to ensure we were looking at what matters most to our communities connected to KHSC. It is important that our approach to inclusion is informed by our local context so while we looked at the broader regulatory, legislative, policy and peer environment, we also reviewed other inputs such as a staff survey to more extensively engage voices to contribute to the direction forward. The design process enabled greater co-creation to reflect the voices and perspectives we heard.

Learn
We are committed to learn from each other. As we know more, we can do more. We have learned that enhancing either the care or the work environment from an inclusion lens, it will positively impact the other given the patient and staff are inextricably linked in so many aspects of the experience. The framework is integrated to reflect all people whether they are seeking care or are working at KHSC. We have also learned that several aspects that relate to equity or inclusion are interdependent and without clear boundaries or multi-faceted. The integrated inclusion framework accounts for this in the bundles of work that have been created and in the initiatives that will flow from those bundles to better reflect the reality of KHSC rather than taking a siloed approach. Opportunities can have singular or multiple benefits so that is our gathering place where we start to provide focus areas that if we make improvements, we will make strides toward achieving inclusion.

Improve
Alongside learning and unlearning, we know this work is complex without a specific end point. This continuous improvement cycle calls on us to listen and engage voices on an ongoing basis, take what we learn, and while we may not always get it right, we strive to make progress to continue our journey along the way. By setting our goals with intention, we can track our improvements to see how we are doing and look for new opportunities to focus on.

Advancing inclusion

It is important to not only highlight the areas where we will be making our efforts known (the ‘what’), but also to be deliberate about the way in which we are doing it (the ‘how’). We are approaching this work using these fundamental principles:

Values Driven
We will ensure our values of Compassion, Respect, Partnership, Excellence, and Innovation are at the heart of the work. It is important to not only focus on what we do but how we do it. Living our values means checking ourselves, infusing in decision-making and choices, and keeping these at the forefront of all the bundles.

Engaging Voices
We will look to our internal and external community and interest holders to listen to what is most important with a locally driven mandate. Our aim is also to elevate voices that may not have felt heard to seek greater understanding and perspectives. This approach goes together with being person-centered.

Humility
Our people, patients and families give us insights and allow us to pay attention to things that we may not have considered. Our approach gives us an opportunity to sit side by side and listen to stay grounded and shine a light on bottom-up approaches.

Continuous Learning
We will be in a state of perpetual learning and unlearning to continue to evolve our understanding and fuel our growth. While we may not always get it right, we will commit to seek out knowledge, address issues and keep future focused. While KHSC has made strides in advancing equity and inclusion, we have heard that there is still work to do. Commitments in the highlighted areas represent the overarching work that falls under those bundles which build the conditions to improve how people experience the care and work environment. There is no single solution to achieving inclusion—many of these bundles are interconnected, influencing, and reinforcing one another. The experience of inclusion is shaped by multiple factors, and progress in each area will collectively drive meaningful change.

Integrated Inclusion Framework bundle areas of focus 

Access

Systems, structures, and spaces impact people differently. Barriers – whether they are physical or systemic, individual, or structural – can create challenges for people in accessing or engaging with services, spaces, and opportunities. By addressing these barriers, we can foster an environment where all individuals have the support and resources they need, and we can create better pathways for improvement.

Includes:

  • Policies & Practices
  • Access to Appropriate Care
  • Access to Opportunities
  • Redevelopment processes and the built environment
  • Clinical and Business systems
  • Building diverse teams

Commitment: We commit to improve systems, structures, and spaces to better meet the diverse needs of our people, patients, and community.

Outcomes: Identified physical, structural and system barriers are reduced.

Equitable Care

Health equity is the foundation of a just healthcare system, where every individual, regardless of their background or circumstances, can achieve their best possible health. It requires addressing the structural and social factors that contribute to health disparities and ensuring that care is accessible, inclusive, and tailored to the needs of the patient and their families. Tackling the impact of social determinants of health and working to eliminate systemic inequities ensures that people receive the care necessary to achieve optimal health outcomes.

Includes:

  • Priority populations- Francophone community,
    Indigenous Health, Black Health
  • 2SLGBTQIA+, Disability & Access & Neurodiversity
  • Understanding disparities and social determinants of health
  • Racial and Ethnic Diversity, Immigrant, Newcomers,
    and Refugee Health
  • Equity oriented health care, Patient Safety
  • Inclusive Service Design

Commitment: We commit to engage and collaborate with interest holders and amplify diverse and marginalized voices to promote equitable, high-quality care for all patients.

Outcomes: Inequities are identified, and quality improvements have occurred for more optimal care delivery.

Data Informed

Decisions and actions need to be guided by data to ensure they are evidence-based and reflective of real needs. The collection and use of demographic, qualitative, and quantitative data from staff and patients will be leveraged to inform strategic decisions. This approach helps safeguard against assumptions, enables progress to be measured, efforts to be continuously refined, and areas for improvement identified for all people to create targeted strategies grounded in these insights.

Includes:

  • Data Collection (including demographic data)
  • System Configuration
  • Identify and set key performance indicators.
  • Evaluation/reporting

Commitment: We commit to collecting and analyzing data to identify disparities and drive evidence-based interventions for our patients, families, and staff.

Outcomes: We have targeted action plans to address specific identified gaps.

Identity

Identity is unique to each person. The demographics of our community, including our staff, patients, and families, are continuously developing reflecting a growing diversity of identities. Recognizing and embracing diversity fosters an environment where people are guided by respect, ensuring recognition, acknowledgement, support, and more equitable care. The intersection of identities also may create compounding challenges that are part of making it even more complex to address needs and create connections.

Includes:

  • Staff Community Groups
  • Linguistic and Cultural Identity
  • Francophone community
  • Gender

Commitment: We commit to celebrate and support all identities at KHSC and in the communities we serve, ensuring that everyone feels represented, reflected, and respected.

Outcomes: Diverse linguistic and cultural identities are supported through recognition, practices, interactions, and active offers of interpreter services to improve the patient care journey.

Anti-Racism

Anti-racism is a proactive approach to challenging and dismantling racism in all its forms, both within systems and individual behaviours. It requires intentional efforts to recognize and address racial biases, discrimination, and inequities that harm individuals and communities. An anti-racist environment ensures that racism is not tolerated and that all individuals, regardless of race, feel safe, valued, and empowered, with access to fair, respectful treatment, and processes as well as more culturally competent care.

Includes:

  • Anti-Indigenous, Anti-Black Racism
  • Community Campaigns
  • Safety
  • Unconscious Bias

Commitment: We commit to recognize, address, and work to dismantle systemic racism within our workforce, patient care, and organizational practices.

Outcomes: Strategies to address racism are implemented with a focus on interrupting bias, elevating voices and support for people impacted.

Indigeneity

Colonization, intergenerational trauma, and systemic inequities have contributed to health disparities among Indigenous peoples. Integrating these insights with humility and respect, healthcare services must be culturally safer, more accessible, and responsive to the specific needs of Indigenous communities, including the incorporation of traditional healing practices, perspectives, and values.

Includes:

  • Cultural Safety and Competency
  • Respect for Indigenous Knowledge and Traditional Healing
  • Indigenous Health Equity and Access
  • Community Engagement and Partnerships
  • Truth and Reconciliation

Commitment: We commit to listen to and learn from Indigenous communities, honouring and supporting Indigenous rights, traditions, knowledge, and ways of knowing, and we will work to integrate these into the care we provide.

Outcomes: Indigenous traditions, practices, and perspectives are respected and integrated to provide culturally safer care and supported through improved staff knowledge.

Education

Education plays a crucial role in fostering a culture of inclusion by increasing awareness, compassion and understanding. Knowledge and actions empower individuals to recognize inequities, challenge biases and develop the skills needed to create a more inclusive environment, drive excellence and quality. Providing learning opportunities increases the breadth of reach to build capacity to make this a collective and collaborative effort.

Includes:

  • Continuous learning (and unlearning)
  • Foundations, exploration, and active practice
  • Communication
  • Access to information supports

Commitment: We commit to fostering an inclusive culture by equipping staff, physicians, and volunteers with the knowledge and skills to recognize, challenge and address biases and inequities.

Outcomes: Staff complete inclusion training and a comprehensive suite of continuous learning opportunities are available.

Leadership

Leaders shape the culture, policies, and practices that define the care and workplace environments. Their actions and decisions have an outsized impact on people who work, learn, or receive care at KHSC. To achieve a more inclusive care and work environment we need leaders to model our values and be guided by principles of equity. Leaders are called upon to embrace and promote inclusion, take responsibility for outcomes, and foster trust. Skilled leadership demonstrate a commitment that inspires others to advance inclusion and health equity. Leadership from the organization’s perspective means leading the way in our region and sometimes creating new paths that have not existed before.

Includes:

  • Leadership Development
  • Leadership Commitment
  • Accountability Systems
  • Seeking Opportunities

Commitment: We commit to being the role models for inclusive leadership by elevating voices, allocating resources, exemplifying equity, fostering belonging and inspiring others through our actions and accountability.

Outcomes: Inclusive leadership practices are integrated into our processes and operations that are supported by ongoing capacity building.

Actions

To be responsive to the emerging needs of people, the ever-changing environment, and potential opportunities, each year we will identify actions and tactics to achieve the desired outcomes. These priorities may encompass several bundles to stack the impact from the improvement. Over the 3-year period, we will have had actions in all the identified bundles.